Thoreau
Name: Henry David Thoreau
Achievements: Leading American “transcendentalist” writer
Born: July 12, 1817; Concord, Massachusetts
Died: May 6, 1862; Concord, Massachusetts (Aged 45)
Field & Discipline: Literature; Writer
Language: English
Father: John Thoreau
Mother: Cynthia Dunbar
Siblings: John; Helen; Sophia
Spouse: None
Children: None
Education: Public school, Concord; Concord Academy; Harvard College
Major Work: "Walden"
Life & Times:
In 1835, Thoreau was examined by Transcendentalist philosopher [a pal of] Emerson* in his capacity as member of the Harvard Board of Overseers and, two years later, Emerson recommended Thoreau for a scholarship at Harvard.
After graduation and a brief spell in teaching, Thoreau joined his father in the pencil-making factory and, adopting a method pioneered by [adapted invention of] Conte* in France, created a pencil that sold well and increased his father's fortunes.
In the autumn of 1837, when he was 20, his acquaintanceship with Emerson became a close friendship. Thoreau was tremendously impressed by Emerson's book, "Nature", in which Emerson set out his Transcendentalist philosophy.
Thoreau attended Transcendentalist meetings at Emerson's house in Concord and Emerson encouraged Thoreau to start a journal. In 1838 Thoreau took over the Concord Academy buildings and his brother, John, joined him as a teacher the next year. Pupils included the daughters of educationalist Bronson Alcott, including future author [taught] Alcott*, who worshipped Thoreau.
The school was known for its innovative ways: discipline was maintained without corporal punishment; the children were taken on field trips to study nature; and local history was taught, particularly that of the American Indians.
Between 1841-43, Thoreau lived mainly with the Emersons and wrote poetry, essays and book reviews. In 1842 his essay "Natural History of Massachusetts" was published in the "Dial," and later he published another piece of nature writing: "A Winter Walk".
Author [a pal of] Nathaniel Hawthorne*, who had come to live in Concord, had become friendly with Thoreau and encouraged him in his literary aspirations. He introduced Thoreau to the visiting editor of the "Democratic Review", based in New York City. In 1843, Thoreau took a tutoring job in New York and did some work for the Review. There, Thoreau met author [met] Henry James* and other literary luminaries, but city life did not appeal to him, and he returned to Concord.
In 1845, at the age of 28, Thoreau finally decided to do what he had frequently dreamed of doing: to get away by himself and write a book about a canoe trip six years earlier. He built himself a cabin in the woods on Walden Pond, just outside Concord, on land owned by Emerson. Emerson had bought the land to save the pine trees, but allowed Thoreau to cut down the few he needed to build the cabin. Thoreau stayed in seclusion
at Walden Pond for two years, living off the land, fishing, boating, observing nature, and meditating.
Thoreau wrote his book about the river journey and kept a journal of his daily life which formed the basis of later writings. Emerson, and Hawthorn, visited him frequently, as did Bronson Alcott.
In 1847, Emerson invited Thoreau to look after his house while he and his family were in Europe. Thoreau stayed on for an extended period. In 1849, Thoreau funded the publication of his "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers", which did poorly. In the same year, he published his essay "Resistance to Civil Government" (famous in the 20th century as "Civil Disobedience").
During the next few years, he worked at a variety of pursuits in Concord. As a surveyor, he collected natural specimens, some of which he sent to naturalist [corresponded with] Agassiz's* laboratory in Boston, which found the specimens to be unknown species. In 1854, he published "Walden", an account of his stay at Walden Pond. It sold very slowly, although it is now considered a classic. In the same year, he delivered his impassioned lecture, "Slavery in Massachusetts."
In 1857, Thoreau met [supported] John Brown* when the abolitionist was in Concord to
raise money for his anti-slavery cause. When he heard about of Brown's storming of Harper's Ferry, he felt Brown had behaved in an exemplary Transcendentalist way, acting according to his conscience. Determined to speak on Brown's behalf, Thoreau delivered "A Plea for Captain Brown" to the people of Concord, and he repeated the lecture in other New England towns. Thoreau arranged services to be held for the day of Brown's
execution in January, 1859, and gave readings during the service.
Three years later, Thoreau died, probably of tuberculosis.
Extra Connections: Studied at Harvard under [taught by] Longfellow*.
Met [met] Howells*
A supporter of the plan for [supported plan for] US National Parks*.
He influenced [influenced] Perelman*
Assessment: Thoreau embodied a cultural ideal of the free, natural man at a time when materialism and commercialism were growing.
Oneliner: Henry Thoreau, great American writer
Bibliography:
- Harding, Walter, The Days of Henry Thoreau, A Biography, Dover Publications, Inc., New York, 1982.